Spring actuated motor



oc 1951 E. FIELDS I 2,570, 5

SPRING ACTUATED MOTOR Filed June 11, 1949 fe/l 57" r/zzp 9. H

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 YUNITEDISTATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING AGTUATED MOTOR Ernest Fields, New York, N. Y.

Application June 11, 1949, Serial No. 98,424

9 Claims. (Cl. 185-45) This invention relates to spring actuated movements or motors for toys and other articles, particularly to spring suspension arrangements for such motors.

Practical experience with motors of the general type, above referred to, shows that the spiral spring conventionally employed with such movements or motors often winds itself in a somewhat regular fashion during the tensioning operation; in particular the spiral windings of the spring tend to become distorted and, hence, snap comparatively easy. Furthermore, springs suspended on the winding stem with conventional means become not infrequently detached from the stem when they are wound and unwound during normal operations.

.Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the in-- vention to provide novel and improved means for obtainin a uniform and smooth tensioning of a motor spring during the winding thereof. Another object of the invention is to provide means causing the spring to form substantially round spiral windings while being tensioned and also to unwind smoothly and uniformly.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by which the inner end of the spring can be quickly and securely fastened to a reel supporting the spring or to be detached from the said reel without requiring the use of tools or special skill.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means by which the reel supporting the spring can be conveniently and safely fastened to the winding stem.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawing a now preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational side view of a spring suspension arrangement according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are a side View and a plan view respectively of the winding stem of the arrangement.

Figs. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a side view respectively of the locking disc of the arrangement.

Figs. 7 and 8 are a side view and a plan view respectively of the drive wheel of the arrangement.

Figs. 9 and 10 are a side view and a plan view respectively of the spring supporting reel of the arrangement according to Figs. 1 and 2, and

Figs. 11 and 12 are a side view and a plan view respectively of a support bushing of the arrangement according to Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to the figures in detail, it should be understood that the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrates in detail only those parts of the movement or motor that are essential for the understanding of the invention. The other parts of the motor, mounted in a housing indicated by a dash-dotted rectangle I, may be assumed to be conventional. It should further be understood that a spring actuated movement or motor incorporating a spring suspension arrangement according to the invention may be used to drive any suitable mechanical toy for which motors of the general type, here referred to, are used and also for any other application for which'spring actuated motors are found suitable.

The illustrated embodiment of a spring actuated motor, more specifically of a spring suspension arrangement according to the invention, comprises a winding stem 2 having a square portion 3 for the reception of a winding key. The stem supports a wedge 4 securely fastened to the stem by any suitable means. The wedge has a slanted wedge surface 5 and a nose 6.

The locking disc according to Figs. 5 and 6, generally designated by 1, comprises three arms 8, 9 and It circumferentially spaced about 'apart and each ending in a nose ll, I2 and 13 respectively slightly bent out of the general plane of the disc, as can best be seen on Fig. 6. The

center bore I4 of the disc is defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches I5.

The drive wheel of the motor, as shown on Figs. '7 and 8, is illustrated as a gear l6 having a center bore IT and a plurality of holes I8 arranged on a circle and positioned to cooperate with the noses of the locking disc, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Gear [6 serves to drive, through a conventional gear train, the shaft of the motor, as is conventional with motors of the type here referred to. It may also be assumed that the motor is equipped with conventional brake or locking means for arresting the drive gear during the tensioning of the spring or whenever desired.

The reel for supporting the spring is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 as a substantially circular disc 29 having a center bore 2| extended by a radial slot 22 adapted to be engaged by the slanted surface 5 of wedge 4. Disc 2|] is provided with a peripheral slot 23. This slot is shown as having a substantially circular inner portion and as being narrowed toward its exit in the periphery of the disc. As will be noted, slot wall 24 defining one side wall of the slot extends substantially straight and radially from the widest portion of the slot toward the slot exit to form a pointed corner with the respective peripheral portion of the disc. The opposite defining side wall 25 of the slot is somewhat more curved to form: a hook 21 with the respective peripheral portion of the disc.

The circumferential width of the slot exit corresponds approximately to the thickness of the spring material conventionally usedfor springs of the type, here referred to.

In this connection it should be mentioned: that the configuration of the slot, particularly of the inner portion thereof, is not necessaril an ap proximately circular one. A substantially angular slot may also be used in certain instances but it is essential that a hook is formed at the slot exit. I U y The disc is further provided with a peripheral recess 26 shown as being defined by a substantially radial wall portion 28 and a curved wall portion 23' formed by an arc eccentric relative to the center of the disc periphery and gradually leading back into the same. As a result, a hook or nose 29 is formed forthe suspension of the spring, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Recess 26 is positioned relative to slot 23 forwardly in the direction of the windings of the spiral spring.

The spiral spring, the inner end 30 of which is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, has an openin 3| near its inner end. The diameter of this opening is preferably slightly smaller than the circumferential length of nose 2 9 and the distance between the spring end and the opening 31 may correspond approximately to the diameter of the inner portion of slot 23.

Looking disc I and gear I6 are supported by a stepped bushing 35 according to Figs. 11 and 12. As can best be seen on Fig. 2, gear I6 is rotatably supported on the middle portion 36 of the bushing and the locking disc is riveted or otherwise secured to a portion 31 of the bushing. The material of bushin portion 3? is preferably caused to engage notches E of disc l thereby securing the locking disc tightly to the bushing. The bushing itself is fixedly mounted on winding stem 2 as is also reel 20, the slot 22 of which is squeezed upon the slanted surface of wedge 4.

It will now be evident that looking disc 7 and s ring disc 2?] are compelled to rotate in unison with the Winding stern while gear l6 can rotate relat ve to the winding stem.

T e spring sus ension arrangement according to the invention is ass mbled by rro nting the e einbefo-re described parts the eof in the relative os tions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Spring is suspended on reel at by insert ng the s ring end with its ed e into slot 23 and slipping spring opening 3! over the reel hook 29.

Let it be now ass med that it is desired to load the spring. Winding stem 2 is then rotated in clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 1) while gear Iii is held stationariy by any suitable looking or b ake means. As a result, noses II, I 2

and 1?; of disc I will slide over holes is of gear [5. The spiral windings of spring 38, the outer end of which must of course be secured to any suitable part of 'motor housing I will wind themselves smoothly and uniformly about the periphcry of reel 20. The are portion 28' of recess 2 5 enables the innermost winding of the spring to flatten itself upon the reel periphery, and the configuration of hook 29 and slot 23 make it virtually impossible for the spring to detach itself from the reel.

It will further be apparent that the spring cannot unwind itself as long as gear [6 is arrested since the noses of locking disc 1, by engaging: holes t8, will prevent a rotation. of the winding stem in the direction causing an unwinding of the spring.

When gear I6 is released the tension of the loaded. spring will cause the gear to rotate by means of the noses of the locking disc now engaging: holes l8. As the spring unwinds itself, its spiral windings will be lifted uniformly by reason of the preceding uniform tensioning of the spring. As a result, the life time of spring motors of the type, here referred to, is substantially increased. a a

While the invention has been described. in detail with respect to a certain now preferred example and embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art;

after understanding the invention, thatvaribus changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the'spirit and scope of the in-' vention and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the 8111-" pended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be se cured by Letters Patent is:

1. A spring suspension arrangement for a;- spring actuated motor having. a winding stemfor winding the motor spring, said suspension arrangement comprising a substantially circular reel adapted to be fixedly secured upon said winding stem, said reel having a peripheral recess extending in a substantially radial direction and narrowed. toward. the reel periphery and a spiral spring supported on the periphery of said reel and adapted to be secured with its inner end to said stem, said spring having near its inner end an opening engaging the reel-at one of the corners thereof defining the narrowed exit of the recess, said inner spring end extending into said recess.

2. A spring suspension arrangement as described in claim 1, wherein the circumferential width of the recess exit corresponds substantially to the thickness of the spring material.

3. A spring suspension arrangement for a spring actuated motor having a, winding stem for winding the motor spring, comprising a substan ialiy circular reel adapted to be fixedly secured u on said winding stem, said reel having a peripheral recess extending in a substantially radial direction and narrowed toward the reel periphery, and a spiral spring supported on the pe 'phery of said reel and adapted to be secured with its inner end to said stem, said spring having near its inner end an opening engaging the reel at one of the corners thereof defining the narrow exit of the recess, said inner spring end extending into said recess, the corner engaged by said spring opening forming a hook relative to the wide portion of the recess, the wall portion of the recess defining the opposite corner thereof extending substantially straight from the wide recess portion toward the peripheral exit there-- of.

i. A spring suspension arrangement for a spring actuated motor of the type including a winding stem, a spiral spring secured at the inner end to said stem, a drive wheel rotatably supported on said stem and unidirectionally coupled with said spring for rotation of said wheel by the spring upon unwinding of the latter, said suspension arrangement comprising a substantially circular reel fixedly secured upon said winding stem and supporting said spring upon its periphery, said reel having a peripheral recess extending in a substantially radial direction and narrowed toward the reel periphery, the circumferential width of the recess exit corresponding substantially to the thickness of the spring material, said spring having near its inner end an opening engaging the reel at one of the corners thereof defining the narrow exit of the recess, said inner spring end extending into said recess, said reel having a second recess in its periphery peripherally spaced from the first recess, the peripheral reel portion between adjacent corners of said two recesses engaging said opening of the spring end inserted in the first recess, said second recess being positioned forwardly relative to the first recess, as seen in the winding direction of the spring spirals.

5. A spring suspension arrangement as described in claim 4, wherein the defining wall of the second recess facing the first recess extends substantially in radial direction and the opposite defining wall of the second recess forms an arc eccentric relative to the center of the reel periphery and leading back into the said periphcry.

6. A spring suspension arrangement as described in claim 4, wherein a wedge is rigidly mounted on the winding stem, the slanted surface of said wedge engaging said reel and securing the same to the stem.

7. A spring suspension arrangement for a spring actuated motor, comprising a substantially circular disc adapted to be secured to a winding stem, the periphery of said disc including an open radial slot narrowed toward the disc periphery, the periphery of said disc further including a peripheral recess, and a spiral spring having an opening near its inner end, said slot and said recess being spaced so that the peripheral reel disc portion remaining thereinbetween corresponds substantially to the diameter of said spring opening for suspending said spring with its inner end on the disc, the circumferential width of said slot corresponding substantially to the thickness of the spring material.

8. An arrangement as described in claim '7, wherein the slot wall next to said recess is shaped to form a hook oriented circumferentially away from the recess, the opposite wall of the slot extending substantially straight from the widest portion of the slot toward the reel periphery, and wherein the recess wall next to the slot extends substantially in radial direction, the opposite recess Wall defining an arc eccentric relative to the center of the reel periphery and leading back into the said periphery.

9. In a suspension arrangement for the spiral spring of a spring actuated motor, a substantially circular disc, the periphery of said disc including an open radial slot narrowed toward the disc periphery and a recess peripherally spaced from said slot, the slot wall next to said recess being shaped to form a hook oriented circumferentially away from the recess, the opposite wall of the slot extending substantially straight from the widest portion of the slot toward the reel periphery, and the recess wall next to the slot extending substantially in radial direction, the opposite recess wall defining an arc eccentric relative to the center of the reel periphery and leading back into the said periphery.

ERNEST FIELDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 311,305 Garland Jan. 27, 1885 1,246,382 Benson Nov. 13, 1917 1,710,388 Teetor Apr. 23, 1929 1,843,928 Owens Feb. 9, 1932 2,327,509 Daily r s Aug. 24, 1943 

